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Be a Jn ER PRN SEN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2000 - 3 PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" They reject hiring a health unit inspector Council wants region-sponsored rabies clinics By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star Scugog Township council is in favour of mandatory rabies shots for domestic animals in Durham Region. But rather than seeing the region hire a rabies inspector, councillors here would prefer that money be earmarked for free rabies clinics conducted by veteri- narians throughout Durham. That was the essence of Scugog's response to the regional health unit, which is now considering making rabies shots mandatory under Ontario Regulation 567, a process that would require the unit to hire a full-time inspector at a cost of about $55,000 annually. Scugog Regional Councillor Ken Gadsden believes it is necessary for domestic animals to have rabies shots, but draws the line at adding another inspector for the health unit. Agreeing is Mayor Doug Moffatt, who informed the health unit by letter Feb. 3 that the money would be better spent on free, well-publicized rabies clinics conducted by local veterinarians. "This would be much more likely to succeed than the imposition of mandatory programs, and would end when the threat of incidence has subsided or other methods of control are in place," the mayor wrote. The comments and the mayor's letter came as Durham Region council is considering asking that the health unit be included under Regulation 567, which among other things makes it mandatory for all domes- tic animals to have rabies shots. This applies to cats and dogs as well as horses and farm livestock, except under special circumstances where the owner can prove livestock will not come in contact with outside animals. Durham's health unit is one of just three in Ontario still not governed by Regulation 567. But regional council is now leaning that way in light of the discovery last summer of raccoon rabies in Eastern Ontario, the first such cases in the province. It is believed raccoon rabies "migrated" from New York State, where the number of cases has greatly increased in recent years. Health officials say raccoon rabies migrates at a rate of about 30 miles each year, so it is just a matter of time before the disease starts to show up among ani- mals in Durham Region. : And there is considerable fear that rabies infected raccoons pose a real threat to humans, as it's believed the Ontario raccoon population now numbers about | Missionary to speak at Baptist Church He suffered severe per- secution and hardship. Internationally known missions speaker, author, and president of Gospel for Asia, K.P. Yohannan will speak at Port Perry Baptist Church Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. K.P. Yohannan, a citi- zen of India, residing in the United States is a spokesman for native Asian missionaries. His message on native mis- sions is mixed with a message urging Christians back to spiri- tual reality. Born in a remote jun- gle village of South India, K.P. Yohannan's personal journey toward spiritual reality began at the age of eight. When he was 16, K.P. joined Operation Mobilization volunteering to serve in fiercely anti-Christian North India. K.P. spent seven years travelling from village to village. In 1974, K.P. became the first foreign student at Criswell Bible Institute in Dallas, Texas, where he earned his B.A. in Biblical Studies. In 1978, K.P. organized what is now called Gospel for Asia, an orga- nization that supports over 11,000 native mis- sionaries in eight Asian countries. In addition to travel- ling and speaking in North America, K.P. spends half of the year in Asia, consulting with " native Asian leaders, and speaking at gatherings. He fis also heard by mil- lions in Asia on a daily Christian radio program. K.P. has written five books in the United States, and is the author of over 100 books in India. million. Most of these raccoons now live in urban areas where they are more likely to come in contact with people who often try to feed the beasts, or even domesticate them. Last July, the province asked that all health units in Ontario enact Regulation 567. When the request finally came in front of the Durham council last December, they tabled it to seek more information. But the region Moffatt health committee has recommended that the regula- Out with tine Women's Footwear » Sorels & Dexter Hikers ..................ooit. 25% OFF + Boots by Cougar, Wanderlust, Arctic Trail ......... 40% OFF » Aerosoles, Naturalizer, Tender Tootsies ........ 30-40% OFF cDEXIOT Ls 15% OFF » Running Shoes by Fila, Adidas & Brooks ......... 30% OFF » Holiday Dress Shoes ...............cooivvnn. 50% OFF Kids' Footwear - Winter Boots by Kangaroo, Weather Guard & Kodiak . .. .40% OFF * Girls' School ShOES oo vvvvee 30% OFF » Running Shoes by Fila, Adidas & Brooks .............. 30% OFF + Striderite Walkers ................. tees 25% OFF + Holiday Dress Shoes (excluding Striderite ) ........... 40% OFF Men's Footwear » Sorels & Dexter Hikers... 25% OFF + Boots & Hikers by Arctic Trail, Bos & Co. & Brook's 40-50% OFF «Selected Deer Stags... 30% OFF » Running Shoes by Fila, Adidas & Brooks ........... 30% OFF Our Winter Sale Continues Throughout Our Stores! BINION for K ! ads YY § uceen RRC tion be enacted here. In expressing his opposition to mandatory shots at a recent council meeting, Mayor Moffatt said there are already enough requirements imposed by the health unit on the residents of Durham. "It is just an empire that keeps on growing," he said. He went on to say he fears the region will "end up with another staff person, and won't reduce the num- ber of rabies cases at all." Councillor Gadsden, also opposed to the hiring of another full-time inspector, argued that mandatory vaccines are necessary. "If it is left voluntary, the high risk (domestic ani- mals) are the ones that still will not be done," he said. oldl...ma 0) In on foot Be, yee, Fort veld 005-985-2521